“The ultimate responsibility and authority for OA world services
reside in the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship.“
Spiritual Principal: Unity
I grew up in a world of chaos that led me to a lot of mistrust in my life. Living in a world of never feeling good enough nor loved, I spent much of my time bending over backwards to gain another’s love and attention. I was looking for love and acceptance from outside of myself. When I didn’t get what I expected, I would get pissed but would never vocalize it.
I never felt what I had to say mattered. I never allowed people to get close to me, for if they did, they probably would hate me as much as I hated myself. In feeling this deep seeded pain, I ate. The allergy of craving soon kicked in and with my mental twist, the cycle of addiction latched on. My adventures in diets got worse, never better and I grew. I was alone in a dis-ease that nearly killed me.
In coming to OA, I learned a different way to live with the Twelve Steps. In learning how to live in them, a personal Spiritual recovery happened. Each day I continue to learn more. I am only recovered not cured. I rinse and repeat daily.
As I began to serve, I learned about the Twelve Traditions which are given to us for group harmony. Being human, many things surfaced when working with others. Those disturbances reminded me the reason for the 12 Traditions. It not only brought things to light of how to work with others… it in turn pointed me to the 12 Steps; it got me to know myself even better and I saw what more needed to change. This daily practice really helps me learn the very principals of the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions. Each disturbance whereby I have to work the Steps and Traditions teach me more and more. As a result of this process, a spiritual awakening occurs each time.
As I began to work above the group level the Twelve Concepts of OA Service came into play. When getting into Region and WSBC service, I began to see the structure of OA and how things worked on a bigger scale.
Concept One states “The ultimate responsibility and authority for OA world services reside in the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship.”.
Amazing how in me once feeling that I didn’t matter nor wanted to be around others, I am now doing service with hundreds of others. I personally have the chance to speak up on OA matters and be heard. There is no one governing. Not only do I have a chance to speak up but to listen to others and learn and possibly hear something that may help the whole Fellowship in the process. Decisions can be made for the collective conscience of the whole Fellowship. What a way to do business!
As a fellowship of hundreds all over the world, we as delegates have a responsibility to come together and make decisions that will be best for OA. We are united to working out what is best because we have a common goal. We can put aside our egos to do what’s best the whole Fellowship.
Even if decisions are made that I may not necessarily like, in going through this process it opens my heart and eyes to being open minded to hear others points of view before making any decision.
This same Concept can be used in my life in whatever business I am involved in. Whether in my family or at work, I take the same stance, that as a team, I can speak up, ask others for their opinions and communicate and discuss things to come up with a decision that would be best for everyone.
That unity sure is important for my peace.
-Melanie B
©2026 Experience Strength & Hope Newsletter,
All rights reserved. Proudly sponsored by OA Foot Steps VIG #09670.
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